The Enemy (Enemy Series #1) & The Dead (Enemy Series #2) byCharlie Higson

3 1/2 Stars

B&N: The Enemy

In the wake of a devastating disease, everyone sixteen and older is either dead or a decomposing, brainless creature with a ravenous appetite for flesh. Teens have barricaded themselves in buildings throughout London and venture outside only when they need to scavenge for food. The group of kids living a Waitrose supermarket is beginning to run out of options. When a mysterious traveler arrives and offers them safe haven at Buckingham Palace, they begin a harrowing journey across London. But their fight is far from over—the threat from within the palace is as real as the one outside it.
Full of unexpected twists and quick-thinking heroes, The Enemy is a fast-paced, white-knuckle tale of survival in the face of unimaginable horror.

B&N:The Dead

The disease only affects people sixteen or older. It starts with the symptoms of a cold. Then the skin begins to itch, and spots appear--spots that soon turn into pus-filled boils. But the worst part is the headache, the inner voices that tell you that you need to eat them . . . the young ones.
When the Disaster strikes, the world turns upside down for Ed, Jack, Bam and the other students at Rowhurst School. The parents and older siblings they left back at home are dead--or worse. Once the teachers go on the attack, the kids know it's time to escape and make their way to the city. It's got to be better in London . . .
or will it be worse?

Higson's terrifying, utterly compelling prequel to The Enemy introduces an all-new cast of characters and sets the stage for a dramatic third book in the series.


My Review:

I must say, I did enjoy reading these books. Yes, it was pretty gross...the author described the disease pretty well. What I really liked about these books though was the psychological aspect of what these kids were going through and what they had to do to survive.

Also, one thing that shocked me, was the author did not stick to the rule of the "main" character can't die. And no, that doesn't give it away because there are a few main characters.

The 2nd book actually takes place one year before the 1st book which I thought was kind of neat. By the end of the 2nd book, you could see where the two came together.

Overall- I suggest this series. I'll definitely be reading the 3rd book in the series.

The Boyfriend Thief by Shana Norris

3/5 Stars

Goodreads Summary:

Avery James has her life planned out: this summer she'll work with a humanitarian program in Costa Rica, next year she'll graduate at the top of her class, and after that, college and medical school. Perfect, planned, total order.

The only problem: getting the rest of the money she needs for the trip before the deadline. Hannah Cohen, her biggest competition for the valedictorian title, makes an unexpected offer: If Avery can win over Zac Greeley and make him break up with Hannah before the end of the school year, a check for five hundred dollars is all hers. Faced with the prospect of spending yet another summer working as a giant hot dog, it's an offer Avery can't refuse.

Zac is nothing like Avery expected. Within his chaotic world of midnight slushie runs and spontaneous dance parties, her total order is quickly falling apart while Hannah seems poised to get everything she wants. But just how much is Avery willing to give up for the perfect, planned life?

My Review:

This is definitely a book I'll recommend to my 8th grade girls. It's cute and I can totally see some girls relating to this. It has the friendship problems, family problems, and boy problems all in one, and the author does a wonderful job of keeping it "real".

That Boy by Jillian Dodd

3/5 Stars (I'd say 3 1/2 stars)

Goodreads Summary:

That Boy is a contemporary romance about falling in love with the boys next door.

You know, being friends with two cute boys does have its benefits.

There's Danny. Danny is a golden boy in every way. He has dreamy blue eyes and blonde hair that always looks perfect, even when it’s windblown or been stuck under a football helmet. He’s the boy every girl crushes on. The boy I get into trouble with, the boy I fight with, the hot quarterback no girl can resist, not even me. Being with Danny is like being on an adventure. He has a bright, contagious smile and abs to die for. He’s pretty much irresistible.

Equally crush worthy is Phillip. Adorable, sweet Phillip, who I have known since birth. Phillip has dark hair, a perfect smile, brown eyes, and the sexiest voice I have ever heard. He’s the boy I talk to every night before I go to sleep. The boy who rescues me, the boy who can read my mind, the boy who is always there for me, the boy who tries to keep me out of trouble, the boy who irritatingly keeps getting hotter, and whose strong arms always seem to find their way around me. And when he gives me that grin, I can never say no.

One boy will give me my very first kiss.
One boy will teach me to make out.
One boy will take me to prom.
And finally, one boy will ask me to marry him.
They will both be my best friends.
But only one of them will be the boy I fall in love with.
Only one of them is That Boy.

My Review:

I liked this book. Although, the main female character annoyed me sometimes. Overall, I really liked how the author portrayed the 2 boys. They were so different, but I could see why she was best friends/loved them both. There was a HUGE shocking turn in the plot that came out of left field. I cried actually and had to keep reading (until 4 a.m.) so that I could go to bed and not have sad dreams.

This was a longer book than I thought it would be (I read on my Nook, so I never actually know how many pages there are in the book until I open the file).

There's part of me that really liked the book, but then another part that just liked it. Back and forth. :)

The Boyfriend Game (First Kisses) by Stephie Davis

4/5 Stars

Goodreads Summary:

I rested the ball on my hip and walked back toward the equipment shed. In the dark.

Alone. With a boy.

I would be completely freaking out over varsity soccer tryouts if it weren't for the new student, Graham, who's helping me practice. He has the most amazing green eyes, curly brown hair, and perfect legs. Plus, we have lots in common, since all we both care about is soccer! Well, that's all he cares about. But my heart beats so fast when we're on the field together . . . and I don't think it's just from all the running around.


My Review:

This was an extremely quick read (I don't even think it had 200 pages to it), but it was also a wicked cute read. The author did a fantastic job at portraying what teens come across with dating, friends, and a change of heart w/ what's really important to them. I've read another from this author (Fast Girls and Smart Boys) which was good as well.

It looks like she focuses on teen girls who enjoy sports, but who also are figuring out what they want and who they are in life.

Definitely an author to recommend to my students.

Pride & Popularity by Jenni James

4/5 Stars

Goodreads Summary:

Chloe Elizabeth Hart despises the conceited antics of the popular crowd, or more importantly, one very annoying self-possessed guy, Taylor Anderson, who seems determined to make her the president of his fan club! As if! Every girl in the whole city of Farmington, New Mexico, is in love with him, but he seems to be only interested in Chloe.

This modern high school adaptation of Pride and Prejudice is a battle of wits as Chloe desperately tries to remain the only girl who can avoid the inevitable—falling for Taylor.

My Review:

The author did a great job at keeping with the plot of Pride and Prejudice, but she also put a spin on some of the characters and their relationships. The funny relationship between Chloe and Taylor was very well done. I really enjoyed reading this book and plan to read the rest of her Jane Austen Diary books

The Death Cure (Maze Runner Series #3) by James Dashner

4/5 Stars

*Last book in the series. If you have yet to read The Maze Runner or The Scorch Trials, I suggest you skip this post.

B&N:

Thomas knows that Wicked can't be trusted, but they say the time for lies is over, that they've collected all they can from the Trials and now must rely on the Gladers, with full memories restored, to help them with their ultimate mission. It's up to the Gladers to complete the blueprint for the cure to the Flare with a final voluntary test.
What Wicked doesn't know is that something's happened that no Trial or Variable could have foreseen. Thomas has remembered far more than they think. And he knows that he can't believe a word of what Wicked says.
The time for lies is over. But the truth is more dangerous than Thomas could ever imagine.
Will anyone survive the Death Cure?

My Review:

The author did a great job ending this series. Everything came together and the action kept me on the edge of my seat. I did not want to stop reading. There were definitely some twits that finally revealed themselves, ones that I could not predict, and I'm usually pretty good at predicting.

Overall, this is a great series, and I will definitely be recommending the books to my kids.

The DUFF: (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) by Kody Keplinger

4/5 Stars

B&N:

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "the Duff," she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren't so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone. And eventually, through this realization, Bianca begins to see how harmful her unhealthy way of dealing with her problems has been, and finds a way to confront them head on.

My Review:

This is more so a high school book than a middle school book. Lots of sex. But, it's interesting to read because this actually does happen. Girls throw themselves into a relationship of just sex to hide from something. It was really interesting to see the self-destruction of this girl. And, I actually really liked the character Wesley. Overall a good read, but again, not for most middle schools due to the content.